1. 聞如是： 一時，佛在舍衛國、祇樹、給孤獨園。
Thus I have heard: One time, the Budha was staying at
Anaathapindidas Ashrama in Jetavana of Shraavastii.
2. 爾時，生漏婆羅門便往至世尊所，共相問訊，在一面坐。是時，生漏婆羅門白世尊曰：「當云何觀惡知識人？
At that time, the Brahmin named Jaanussonii went to the Bhagavaan, exchanged greetings with him, and sat at one side.
Then the Brahmin said to the Bhagavaan:
“How should one view a bad friend?”
3. 世尊告曰：「當觀如觀月。
The Bhagavaan replied, “One should view him as one observes the moon.”
4. 婆羅門曰：「當云何觀善知識？
The Brahmin asked, “How should one view a good friend?”
5. 世尊告曰：「當觀如觀月。
The Bhagavaan replied, “One should view him as one observes the moon.”
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6. 婆羅門曰：「沙門瞿曇今所說者，略說其要，未解廣義。唯願瞿曇廣普說義，使未解者解。
The Brahmin said, “What the shramana Gotama has said is brief and gives only the essentials.
It does not explain the full meaning.
I only wish that shramana Gotama would explain the meaning in detail, so that those who do not understand might comprehend.”
7. 世尊告曰：「婆羅門！諦聽！諦聽！善思念之，吾當與汝廣演其義。
The Bhagavaan said, “Brahmin! Listen carefully! Listen carefully!
Reflect deeply, I will now explain the meaning to you in detail.”
8. 婆羅門對曰：「如是，瞿曇！」生漏婆羅門從佛受教。
The Brahmin replied, “So be it, Gotama!” The Brahmin received the teaching from the Budha.
9. 世尊告曰：猶如，婆羅門！月末之月，晝夜周旋，但有其損，未有其盈。彼以減損，或復有時而月不現，無有見者。此亦如是，婆羅門！若惡知識，經歷晝夜，漸無有信，無有戒，無有聞，無有施，無有智慧，彼以無有信、戒、聞、施、智慧，是時彼惡知識身壞命終，入地獄中。是故，婆羅門！我今說是惡知識者，猶如月末之月。
The Bhagavaan said: “Just as, Brahmin, at the end of the month, the moon moves through the sky day and night, but gradually diminishes and does not increase, and at times, it is not visible at all, so too, Brahmin, if one has a bad friend, gradually, day by day, he loses faith,
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virtue, hearing, giving, and wisdom.
With the loss of faith, virtue, hearing, giving, and wisdom, when the bad friend’s body breaks up, at death, he will go to hell.
Therefore, Brahmin, I now speak of such a bad friend, as one speaks of the waning moon.”
10. 猶如，婆羅門！月初生時，隨所經過日夜，光明漸增，稍稍盛滿，便於十五日具足盛滿，一切眾生靡不見者。如是，婆羅門！若善知識，經歷日夜，增益信、戒、聞、施、智慧。彼以增益信、戒、施、聞、智慧，爾時善知識身壞命終，生天上善處。是故，婆羅門！我今說此善知識所趣，猶月盛滿。
Just as, Brahmin, when the moon is new, it gradually increases in light and gradually becomes full on the fifteenth day, so that all beings see it, so too, Brahmin, if one has a good friend, day by day, he increases in faith, virtue, hearing, giving, and wisdom.
With the increase in faith, virtue, hearing, giving, and wisdom, when the good friend’s body breaks up, at death, he will be born in a good place in heaven.
Therefore, Brahmin, I now speak of such a good friend, as one speaks of the full moon.”
11. 爾時，世尊便說此偈：
At that time, the Bhagavaan spoke this verse:
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12. 若人有貪欲，瞋恚癡不盡；於善漸有減，猶如月向盡。若人無貪欲，瞋恚癡亦盡；於善漸有增，猶如月盛滿。
“If a person has craving, hatred, and ignorance unending,
His goodness gradually decreases, just like the waning moon.
But if a person is free from craving, hatred, and ignorance,
His goodness increases, just like the full moon.”
13. 是故，婆羅門！當學如月初。
“Therefore, Brahmin! One should learn from the waxing moon.”
14. 爾時，生漏婆羅門白世尊曰：「善哉！瞿曇！猶如屈者得伸，冥者見明，迷者見路，於闇冥然明。此亦如是，沙門瞿曇無數方便為我說法，我今自歸世尊及法、眾僧，自今以往，聽我為優婆塞，盡形壽不殺生。
At that time, the Brahmin Jaanussonii said to the Bhagavaan,
“Excellent, Gotama! Just as one who was bent is now straightened, one who was in darkness now sees the light, and one who was lost now sees the path, so too, the shramana Gotama has taught me in many ways, and now I go for refuge to the Bhagavaan, the Dharma, and the Sangha.
From this day forth, I take the vow of a lay follower, and will not kill any living being for the rest of my life.”
15. 爾時，生漏聞佛所說，歡喜奉行。
At that time, the Brahmin Jaanussonii, having heard the Budha’s words, rejoiced and practiced them accordingly.